[Dailydrool] longer version of the rainbow bridge

[Helena Poist]

I still cry at the story.. this appears to the longer version.
 
Rescue Rainbow Bridge
 
 
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp 
as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals 
were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they 
had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had 
spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was 
happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to 
watch. They knew this was something special.
 
It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung 
heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on 
the pathway...the ones who had been at Rainbow Bridge for a while...knew

the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far
too
many times.
 
Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was 
totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of 
injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog 
had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor 
vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who 
were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no 
resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could 
cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the 
Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke 
softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he 
would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their 
special people could pass over the Rainbow Bridge. And he had no 
special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.
 
With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the 
fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted 
a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. 
Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't 
playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably 
staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival 
knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among 
them, just watching the pathway and waiting.
 
One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his 
special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and 
asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to
him.
"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew 
tired of him. They way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, 
cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the 
kennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love 
and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his 
miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no 
family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort him 
across the Bridge."
 
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So 
what will happen now?"
 
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and 
the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a 
single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a 
person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. 
This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended 
outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed 
gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. 
Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in 
the prime of life.
 
>From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a 
group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came 
close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender 
pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even 
brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the 
newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly 
followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.
 
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What
happened?"
 
"That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a
lifetime 
trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect 
were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They 
will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones 
who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to 
perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor 
pets that couldn't find a place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You 
see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all 
animals."
 
"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.
 
"So does God!," was the reply.
 
 
--Author Unknown--

 

 

Helena Poist

Proplanner

2321 North Loop Drive

Ames, IA 50010

helena at proplanner.com

515-296-7526

fax: 515-296-3229

http://www.proplanner.com

 

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